Report: Pau Gasol Would Like a Trade to the Chicago Bulls

The general assumption is that Pau Gasol’s days in Los Angeles are numbered. And according to Bulls.com‘s Sam Smith, should he be traded, the Windy City is Gasol’s preferred destination: “Gasol averaged a career low 17.4 points per game this season even barely ever being allowed to play inside with Bynum healthy. The interesting part, according to Lakers’ insiders, is Gasol would like to play for the Bulls. And what you hardly need any sources for is to see how he and Bryant basically can’t stand one another. It was no secret around L.A. what all those post series comments were about. ‘We got to be committed to each other,’ said [Metta World Peace]. ‘This year we wasn’t as committed collectively, and that hurt us a lot.’ Said [Andrew] Bynum: ‘We just weren’t doing it together.’ That was because Bryant and Gasol were constantly at odds. And that came out several times in the playoffs with the two frequently arguing on the court and Bryant again questioning Gasol’s heart. Yes, Gasol will be 32 in July, though given his position and the way he plays he can go a good four or five years. And that’s why him going where he wants to go would be vital. He has two years left on his contract and has talked about returning to play in Europe afterwards. Unless he really liked where he was, you assume. Also, his exorbitant $19 million salary the next two seasons makes him less desirable. And it’s no secret the Lakers want to move him.”